5/5 Stars

It was very well organized. The school bus ride to the top was comfortable and took about an hour. The waiting area at the start line was sufficient with about 60 porta-potties. I really liked that the music wasn't overbearing. The course was excellent and the runners had at least one full lane of the road to run on was much nicer than running on the shoulder in training. The aid stations were plentiful and were staffed by cheerful and helpful volunteers. I liked the professional signage that enhanced the experience. The finish area was lively and well organized.

Yes, by about 3 minutes over my previous PR set at the St. George Marathon. I also qualified for Boston by over 12 minutes.

There were only about 3 - 4 sections where the grade was so steep that I had to slow down for safety. Aside from that gravity was my friend. The 4-mile out and back starting at mile 18.5 was where the race really started for me. The scenery was breathtaking.

I ran 22 miles of the course twice in preparation. I ran at a conservative pace with the goal being to get my legs used to the long downhill distances. This benefitted me greatly because my legs didn't cramp and were in good shape all the way through and after the race.

Run downhill at higher elevations for several weeks beforehand if possible. Speed isn't important and in fact slower running is probably better so that you don't injure yourself before the event. Keep your head over your feet and your chin down. Bring clothes that you can shed along the way because although it was 33 degrees at the top it will warm up as you descend. Don't burn all of your energy in the first 18 miles because the last 8 are much harder and you'll save some energy for them.

5/5 Stars

It was my first half marathon and I was happy to complete it. In fact, with all the great volunteer support at the aid stations (handing out water, goo, bananas and cheering us on), it was easier than I thought it would be. Thank you, fantastic volunteers!!!

I didn't have a record at all. First time runner

Gorgeous! I knew it would be since I lived in SLC for 20 years prior to moving to Philadelphia.

My husband and I ran together for several months before the Revel Run, about four miles twice a week and a longer six to eight miles on the four weekends prior to the race. Of course we were training at low altitude and knew what we would be facing in SLC, but we couldn't do much about that.

I got a good tip from a friend before the race. PIn your bib to your undershirt (a racer back tank) - but leave it showing - and layer a long-sleeve shirt over it.

Visited with friends, attended a Red Butte Gardens concert, visited the Museum of Natural History at the U.

We came from Philadelphia, where we currently live.

5/5 Stars

I loved this race. I'm a brand new runner and this experience definitely fed my desire to keep running and training. If all races were like Revel's Big Cottonwood... The route is breathtakingly beautiful, fast, and a joy to run. I loved watching the sun rise in to the valley below us, and listening to the river rushing down the canyon. It was truly an unforgettable experience. Also, the number of volunteers was astounding. I was a bit emotional at times thinking about all their efforts. I could not have done what I did without them. A HUGE THANKS TO THEM ALL!!!!

Technically...I DID PR, but only because this was my first half marathon. When I run it next year, I'm confident I'll get a genuine PR!

The scenery is ridiculously gorgeous. It's easy to be in awe while you're running this course. The grade of the run is steep at times, but if one trains for downhill, it's not too much. It makes the flat parts unbearable though. Lol!

As a local, I trained in the canyon for weeks before the race. I also trained for triathlons all summer, so I felt pretty good going in to this race, but the distance was a first for me. Even my training runs had never exceeded 11.25 miles, so it was obvious to me that the grade was a HUGE help to me. My advice to others wanting to give this race a try is train downhill and be steady in your training. No gaps in your runs!

It's COLD at the start! Dress in layers and plan to donate your layers as you strip them off along the route. You get to be warm and help others too! That's a big win/win! Also, do NOT do anything different or new on race day (eating/nutrition, insoles, sports bra,etc.), that makes for a gamble that almost never pays off! Also, if you're traveling to Utah, don't waste the trip...see the sights! It's a gorgeous state!!!

I'm a local so I got a much needed pedicure after the race!!!! Pretty toes again!

5/5 Stars

Yes by 11 minutes.

5/5 Stars

Beautiful views.
Amazing volunteers.
Well organized with attention to every detail especially at the finish line.
Loved the printed cards with personal results
And best of all I got my BQ.
LOVED everything.
Thanks!

Yes

Dress warm for the start.

Cheered for my son at his High school football game :)
We live about 30 minutes from SLC

5/5 Stars

It was amazing- a total PR for me!

Yes!

Perfect- even the out and back was Better than I expected.

I ran the course I've over all summer!

Downhill train!

Live here

5/5 Stars

Excellent. VERY cold at the start but could have been worse. Would have been nice to wait on the bus a while.

Yes by 3:44. I ran the half. Didn't need to run the full. I was already qualified for Boston.

Excellent for getting a PR.

Should have run more hills to improve my speed and time. Legs and heart need the experience of downhill races.

Run hills more. Dress warmer for the start.

Brought food for the night before in the hotel room instead of dining out. Good decision.

Nothing. Came to run a race, not see the sights.

Grand Junction, CO

5/5 Stars

My race day had so many great memories from making new friends to seeing a moose just off the side of the course to a great PR.

I had a awesome race by cutting five minutes off my PR with a finishing time of 1:46:32.

Very beautiful and fast.

My training went very well this year by adding some tempo runs and speed work to my program but most importantly running slower on my long run days. What I would do differently for next year would be add some more race like runs to my training program to get a feel for the speed of this course. Advice I would give other would be try to train on some down hill routes to simulate race.

I have ran this race every year. Tips I would give others would be bring warm cloths to the start to stay warm before the race, train on some down hill routes to simulate this course and most importantly enjoy your race!

I just relaxed before the race so my legs would be fresh. After the race I hung out with other runners, talk about how their race went, meet up with family to cheer on other runners to finish their marathon or half then went home to watch football, GO UTES!

5/5 Stars

Very impressed. Smoothly run, scenic course, went without a hitch. Highly recommend

Yes, in half marathon for over 10 mins. Thinking about coming back next year for a full to PR!

Fast, scenic. I relaxed and let the gravity take me

Didn't train specifically for the half, but still PRd

Do it

Before the race I shivered in space blanket as it was 40 degrees at the start. However it made it for a great running weather. I am from upstate NY

5/5 Stars

I'm so glad this was my first half as the course was beautiful, the volunteers were so positive and supportive, and instructions to runners prior to the race were clear. I was very nervous at first because I felt I had undertrained with overall running mileage. The bus ride up the canyon seemed so slow and then I thought "I have to run all of this way BACK???" It was cold at the top so I'm glad I brought a sweatshirt and hat plus the gloves/space blanket in the goodie bag. The start was a little confusing with long lines at the porta potty and no announcements to get in line, etc. I didn't hear the gun go off. But once I was running, the runner's high immediately kicked in and I let myself enjoy every part of it. At mile 10, I knew I was going to be able to finish it so I was overcome with emotion, especially when I saw my pacing stats. When the volunteer placed the surprisingly heavy metal over my head, I was a feeling like none other!

This was my first half so I don't have anything for comparison. My usual pace is between 10:30-11:30 min/mil and I finished with an overall pace of 9:11 min/mil! I was anticipating to finish between 2 hrs 20 min to 2 hrs 30 min and was shocked to finish at 2:00:20:71.

I live in the area and am familiar with the windy turns and steepness of the canyon. It's very different experiencing it on foot rather than in a car. The first 9-10 miles were almost magical - seeing a moose shortly after the start, the sound of the babbling creek, the beauty of trees with colors already changing, etc.! It made it easy to forget about the work going into the race. After exiting the canyon, it became more challenging as the course became more flat and the shade of the canyon was replaced with direct sun. Since I had never done a run longer than 9 miles, I knew it was going to be a challenge for me. I was fighting physical exhaustion and didn't enjoy the narrower running lane with traffic on both sides. I was motivated by friendly police monitoring traffic and countless volunteers and people cheering us on. I had been given advice to push myself hard at the end so I would "run the gas out of the tank" by the finish. I feel like I accomplished that goal and felt physically spent after crossing the finish line.

Most of my training was cross training with Pilates and Orange Theory Fitness 3-4 times per week so my actual running mileage per week was only about 20-25 miles (longest training run was only slightly over 9 miles because it was so hot this summer). My running was usually on local hilly trails/courses which was a HUGE help to train both uphill and downhill. Twice a month I'd run up and then down City Creek Canyon so the steep downhill of Big Cottonwood wasn't a problem.

Train both uphill and downhill at least twice a week. I did the REVEL online coaching and found it to be very helpful. Run as close to the yellow line in the middle of the road so you aren't dealing with both the steepness of the route and sharp banking of the curves of the road (avoid IT band issues that way). Drink lots of Powerade or do gels early at aid stations to give fuel for the last half which will be much harder when it is flatter and hotter in the direct sun.,

Went home and took a nap!